WHAT IS A PROPHYLACTIC PROPOSAL?

It is not only something union negotiators can use to protect members from the adverse effects of a management intrusion into their lives, but also something the FLRA endorses. Continue reading

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INTERESTING CONTRACT CLAUSES- AFGE & VA

All union negotiators should be aware of what is in other contracts, but that can be hard to do as more and more contracts exceed 200 pages.  So, from time-to-time our small army of FEDSMILL researchers will go through contracts to highlight the more interesting clauses.  We are starting with the AFGE & VA contract, which you can find in the Compare Contracts portion of the FEDSMILL menu bar. Continue reading

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THE RIGHT TO SWAP JOBS

We noticed that this issue is causing some strife inside the AFGE Border Patrol Council, which only confirms that the right to swap jobs is a critical collective bargaining issue. Continue reading

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WONDERFUL WEB SITES

We watch what unions post on their web sites in case there is something we should all know about.  FEDSMILL.com recently took a look at a lot of AFGE web sites (not all or even a majority) and wants to pass along its compliments to a few of them for very impressive products. Continue reading

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NEW AFGE-SSA CONTRACT HIGHLIGHTS

This is one of those bargaining units whose contract is one of the benchmark deals in the federal sector.  The local has just published a list of the changes to its new 2012 contract that are worth reading through.  Congrats to Local 1923.

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GETTING $$$,$$$ FOR EMOTIONAL STRESS

The secret is getting out quickly.  Over the last three years, employees have frequently received checks for $100,000 and more for the emotional stress managers have illegally caused them. Here is how. Continue reading

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A LITTLE HELP WITH FMLA CASE LAW

The U. S. Dept. of Labor just made it a little easier for us to understand the Family Medical Leave Act by publishing a “plain English” guide to the law. While OPM, not DOL, regulates the FMLA for federal sector employees and there are some differences between the rights of federal and all other employees, the DOL guide will help those employees and union reps understand the more fundamental parts of the law.  For those who already know the basics, OPM offers a bundle of material to help them start dealing with the federal sector details.  And for the local’s FMLA guru, be sure the check in regularly with the FMLA blog run by the law firm of Ogletree Deakins—as well as the Bosland blog captured in our right-side column.

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A LITTLE HELP WITH FLRA CASE LAW

Julia Akins Clark, the FLRA General Counsel, has done us all a favor, by posting on her web site a document highlighting the most significant case law holdings on dozens of key points of law. While we disagree with portions of it, it is generally an excellent guide for a union rep trying to decide whether to file an unfair labor practice charge.

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GAO LOCAL 1921 NEGOTIATES FOR ENHANCED CUBICLES

(This posting has been copied almost verbatim from the Local 1921 web site.) In July, GAO will be relocating several employees in the headquarters building, including APSS staff, to make space for new tenants or related to the devolution of knowledge services. GAO’s space Order provides for cubicles for PT II employees, though generally they now have private offices. At the Union’s suggestion, rather than be relocated to stardard cubicles, those employees who are being moved out of private offices will be provided enhanced workspaces that use the cubicle partitions and furniture we already own and add glass panels to the top of the partitions and lockable doors to reduce sound and control access to the office spaces. Continue reading

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HOW TO STOP PERFORMANCE STANDARD CHANGES

While death and taxes may be the more commonly recognized guarantees of life, not far behind are changes in performance standards.  Employees everywhere can count on managers trying to change their expectations, even if only in subtle ways, e.g., during a group discussion, employee annual reviews, e-mail messages, and daily feedback.  Here is what unions can do about that. Continue reading

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